Sandfield's 15-year fence campaign goes on
Thursday March 27 2008
This is despite the fact that funding of ?1.9m was put in place 18 months ago for the repair of fencing at Sandfield Estate, some of which is now falling down.
Appeals have been made by the angered residents of Sandfield Estate for the council to use the ?1.9m.
According to Chairperson of the Residents? Association, Helen Kennan, particular calls are being made for timber fences behind more than 70 houses to be replaced.The railings are falling down, one fell recently and it was lucky it did not go through a car.
The timber is rotting, I have been living here 30 years and for the last 15 years we have been looking for new railings. We have been fobbed off for a long time, we don?t want to throw in the towel,? said Mrs Kennan.
Mrs Kennan informed The Corkman that an estimation showed that in order to put a wall on either side of her house, the cost would be ?5,000 each.
She recalled how a survey was carried out approximately 15 years ago which resulted in the need for new walls.Windows will have to be replaced in some rented property, there are not an awful lot of windows and doors that need replacing. A lot of people have put up their own walls, out of 139 houses there are about 70 houses that need new walls.?
In 2001, the Residents? Association was informed by Mallow Town Council that under a pilot scheme the railings would be replaced in six to eight houses and then they would replace them in six to eight houses every year.
In 2005/2006 the Residents? Association were informed that funds were available for remedial works to the estate such as walls, windows, railings, fascia and soffit for other necessary works.
Mrs Kennan voiced frustration at a letter sent by Minister Batt O?Keeffe that indicated the delays in progressing the work is due to lack of ?technical expertise within the town council.? In Minister O?Keeffe?s letter it was indicated works would take place in 2008.
Mallow town council did not comment on the Sandfield estate matter only to confirm that that the money is available for refurbishment.
